Sheet fiberglass avail @ Home Depot

[Dale R. Hamilton]

I was surprised when a fellow-boat builder did not know that fiberglass- in 4x8'sheets 3/16ths" thick is available at Home Depot. This nice stuff, pure white, nubby one side, smooth the other. I used it for finishing out Boomslang's cabin. Makes very nice bulkheads- I screw them in with stainless sheet metal screw and decorative collar washer so they are removable. They take a nice radius, so can create seamless cornors. I also use it to make panals covered in vinyl hull liner for overheads. Cuts and works like thin plywood- but you never have to paint. I treat seams with a mahogany batten screwed in with stainless.

No, its not wood- but when you use it below- it really sets off the wood trim that you have.

[Lowell Bernhardt]

Very interesting. And where in HD would onr look to find such a beast? smile.gif

[flyon]

The material you have is called FRP in the construction industry. There are mouldings avalible for the corners and edges so that it can be used to cover walls in wet locations. In So Cal it is used in comercial kitchens, restrooms and wharehouses. It is fire resitent and easy to work with regular wood working tools. It can be special ordered at HD in several colors and with out the texture on one side. It is sold to the construction industry in up to 16 foot sheets. Its is found in the area next to plumbing with the wall paneling

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Wow- didn't know about the corners and molding. - or colors even. I have found that its paintable- just like your painting a Corvette.

[Dave Hadfield]

Is it heavy, compared to plywood?

[Dale R. Hamilton]

the per square inch weight would be heavier- but it comes 3/16th" thick- is stronger and more regid than plywood. I make bulkheads on 12 inch centers with one thickness this stuff.

[Norske3]

Now someone is going to cut the sheets in to planks and epoxy them in to a fine lapstrake canoe... :D

[Lowell Bernhardt]

That's a dang slick idea Norske! I never even thought of that until you mentioned it. Anyway, back to the task at hand.

The real question is.... HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?